W C Baker and son hardware is proud to have
been opperating in Fleet
for 100 years and remains a family run business.

Mr. Wyndham Cecil Baker, a cabinet maker and decorator moved from Wokingham
with his wife, Mrs. Lilian Ethel Baker, to Fleet in April 1908. He set
up a cabinet and household furniture shop in Reading Road South repairing
furniture and providing services such as French polishing and upholstery
work. WW1 led to a low demand for this type of work so Wyndham started
selling goods for troops based in nearby Crookham. He provided them
with soap and brushes as well as brass items for the army bands, also
general military requisitions including boots, putty knives, billy cans,
officers swagger canes and the like. After the war, glass and chinaware
were added to the business along with a thriving building and decorating
service.

The business moved to new purpose built premises in
Fleet Road in the 1930’s. Wyndham had the help of his son, Mr.
Sydney Baker and many local men. WW2 took its place in history and Sydney
was called up for service as a full time fireman. Many local men lost
their lives and the building service provided by Wyndham was halted
and subsequently not restarted. Shortly after the war Wyndham suffered
ill health and therefore passed the business onto his son, Sydney, who
remained a part-time fireman but also took on the responsibility of
running the shop with the help from his wife, Marguerite. He continued
selling decorating and building items, which of course he had experience
in using and also added the service of cutting keys and grinding tools.

In the late 1970’s Sydney ’s son, Geoffrey
John Baker, grandson of Wyndham, took over the responsibility of running
the ironmongery business. Geoff has the help and support of his wife,
Suzanne and their twin daughters, Jane and Sarah – the fourth
generation. Geoff has developed the key cutting service to its full
potential and has an outstanding practical knowledge of locks and oil
heaters.

The Business has won many accolades including Business
of the Year award in 1987, 1988 and again in 1989. Also the Fleet in
Bloom shop frontage award for six successive years.

This year sees the centenary of W C Baker & Son
celebrating 100 years of service to the community. The business has
adapted to meet the changing requirements of its customer’s needs.
It is able to provide modern, sometimes even sophisticated products
but still keeping the traditional counter top service. The business
has been helped by having a strong family unit with long serving staff
as its foundation but more importantly by having loyal customers.

It is to this point that W C Baker & Son would like
to take this opportunity of thanking all its customers for their loyal
and valued custom during the past 100 years and the business continues
to look forward to serving the community over the next 100 years.